Verdict: The Karbonn Smart Tab 8 is great if you want something larger than a 7-inch tablet, especially because of the added room that its squarish aspect ratio offers; best for those who want a slate to browse the web and read books.

Verdict: The ETab Xtron promises great value for money. Of all the other slates in its class, this one has the best build quality, is a superb performer, and is equipped with an above-average screen (albeit with poor viewing angles). And when playing movies or videos, you’ll have to use headphones for good audio.

Verdict: The Spice Stellar Pad offers the best value for your money if you want a 10-inch screen. Its large, high-def display makes it ideal for watching videos, though you might see some colour banding. Its weight of 667gms makes it heavy for prolonged use. Also, durability seems suspect because of its flimsy build quality.

Zync Quad 8

Smooth performance. Sharp display with accurate colours and viewing angles. Good battery life (6 hours of video). Squarish design makes it suitable for reading and browsing. Flimsy build quality does not inspire confidence. No calling facility or on-the-go internet. No Bluetooth

Verdict: The Zync Quad 8’s stellar processor makes it one of the best budget tablets for gaming. The slate is also good for reading. But be warned that videos will be displayed in letterbox mode (with black bands at the top and bottom).

Google Nexus 7 (Wi-Fi )

Pure Android; promise of quick updates. Buttery-smooth performance and multi-tasking . Sharp display with accurate colours and viewing angles. Scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass. Decent battery (over 5 hours of video). Only 16GB of built-in memory, of which about 13.5GB is available to the user; no microSD card slot. No calling facility or on-the-go internet.

Verdict: The pure Google experience, a gorgeous HD screen and a fast processor at a mid-range price make the Nexus 7 an absolute steal. If you like to read, play games or watch videos, this is a fantastic tablet. But the lack of 3G functionality limits its on-the-move utility.

Price: 15,999 (The 32GB Nexus 7 costs 18,999).

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 P3100

3G SIM for on-the-go connectivity. Doubles up as a phone, letting you access Whatsapp on your tablet and even make calls. 16GB onboard storage, with microSD support for 32GB cards. Low-res screen for this price, but displays vivid colours. Poor battery life (4 hours of video). Struggles when multi-tasking between resource-intensive apps.

Verdict: The Galaxy Tab 2 loses out to the Nexus 7 in almost every performance test, but there are two things that work in its favour. First, on-the-go 3G connectivity is a big deal, and it changes how you use a tablet. Second, microSD storage is a big plus point – once you start downloading those magazines and movies from the Play Store, you’ll be surprised how fast memory gets filled up. However, be prepared for underwhelming battery life, especially when you start using it with a 3G connection.